Press the side buttons, then raise volume in Settings and inside each app to boost calls, media, and alerts on any phone.
Lost a call because you couldn’t hear the other side, or missed a ping that mattered? This guide shows exactly how to turn up volume on phone across iPhone and Android, with clear paths, quick wins, and deeper tweaks that actually make a difference. You’ll find fast steps, brand-specific paths, and a pair of handy tables so you can spot the right control in seconds.
Quick Things To Try First
These fixes take under a minute and solve most low-sound complaints. Work through them top to bottom.
| Symptom | Where To Turn It Up | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Media too quiet | Side buttons during playback | Start audio, press Volume Up until the on-screen bar fills |
| Calls sound low | In-call earpiece volume | During a call, tap Volume Up; hold phone to ear while adjusting |
| Ringtone soft | Settings > Sounds | Raise Ringtone/Alert slider; test with a sample tone |
| Alarms not loud | Clock app + Settings | Pick a loud tone; raise Alarm or Media slider as required |
| Only Bluetooth plays sound | Quick toggles | Turn off Bluetooth; retry from phone speaker |
| Speaker muffled | Hardware check | Remove case, clear lint from grilles, wipe with soft cloth |
| Silent switch on (iPhone) | Side ring/silent switch | Flip to Ring; raise Ringtone/Alert volume |
| Do Not Disturb active | Quick toggles or Modes | Turn off DND or allow calls/alerts from favorites |
| One app stays quiet | In-app volume/EQ | Open the app, raise its slider; check any “Volume Normalization” |
| Headphones too soft | Headphone safety/limit | Lower protections or choose a louder profile where available |
How To Turn Up Volume On Phone: Quick Controls
iPhone: Buttons, Control Center, And Settings
Start playback or place a call, then press the top side button to raise volume. For a slider you can scrub, open Control Center and drag the large volume bar upward. To set baseline loudness for tones and alerts, go to Settings > Sound & Haptics and move the “Ringtone and Alert Volume” slider. Apple’s official steps live under “Adjust the volume on iPhone,” which you can open in a new tab from the link inside this guide.
Android: Buttons, Sliders, And Sound Menu
Press Volume Up during the thing you want louder—media, a call, or an alarm preview. Tap the small icon beside the slider to switch between Media, Call, Ring, or Alarm. Then open Settings > Sound (or Sound & Vibration) to raise each category. Google’s help page called “Change volume, sound & vibrate settings” shows the standard paths used across Android 12+.
Raise Volume Inside Apps
Many apps have their own sliders or gain controls that sit on top of system volume. Music and video players show an on-screen bar; call apps often tuck a slider into their in-call screen. Open the app, look for a speaker icon, gear icon, or “Audio” menu, and push the bar to the right. If the app offers “Volume normalization” or “Loudness” settings, try them to even out track-to-track changes.
Turning Up Phone Volume Fast: Buttons, Sliders, And Menus
Need a short path? Here’s a simple flow: press Volume Up while the sound plays, then open the sound menu from the on-screen chevron or gear, and raise the matching category. On iPhone, swipe into Control Center and drag Volume up; on Android, tap the three-dot icon by the volume bar to open the full panel, then adjust Ring, Media, and Alarm.
Make Calls And Voices Louder
Call Volume During A Call
Call the person back or use a test number, hold the phone to your ear, then press Volume Up. Doing this during the call targets the earpiece channel rather than media. If you hear only on one side of a headset, switch channels with any “Mono audio” toggle in accessibility, then switch back when done.
Clean Up The Path
Remove the case and any screen protector that crosses the earpiece slit. Brush away lint from speaker grilles. If a wired headset is plugged in, sound leaves the speaker path—unplug it and retest. Turn off Bluetooth to avoid routing to a nearby speaker by mistake.
Boost With Brand Features
Some phones ship with extra tools for speech. On Samsung models, toggles like “Amplify” inside Sound quality and effects can lift dialogue. Many devices include an EQ with a “Vocal” or “Speech” preset—try that during podcasts and calls on speakerphone.
Make Music, Video, And Games Louder
Start With The Right Slider
Media uses the Media slider, not Ring. Start playback, then raise the bar. In many skins you’ll see a small cog that opens a panel with separate sliders—set Media to the top, leave alarms at a level you can sleep through, and keep ring where you want it day to day.
Use Built-In Enhancers
On Galaxy models, Dolby Atmos and an equalizer can lift presence and punch. Pick a profile that suits what you’re hearing—“Movie” for wide sound, “Music” for strong mids and highs, or a custom curve if you know what you like. iPhone users can pick Headphone Safety features that cap sudden spikes and also enable Sound Check inside the Music app to level track loudness. Keep an ear on distortion; if it crackles, back the slider down a notch.
Per-App Loudness
Some apps keep their own saved level. Open the app that sounds soft, find its gear menu, and raise its slider. Streaming apps often keep a hidden volume bar inside the player UI; tap once to reveal it, then slide right.
Silence, DND, And Mode Toggles That Hide Volume
Phones can be loud yet still stay quiet if a mode blocks alerts. Check these spots:
- Silent Switch (iPhone): Flip to Ring; watch the on-screen ring bell appear.
- Focus/Modes: Turn off or allow calls and time-sensitive alerts.
- Do Not Disturb (Android): Disable or add exceptions for calls, messages, and repeat callers.
- Bedtime/Night Mode: These often mute tones overnight; review schedules and exceptions.
The Exact Paths For The Big Brands
The steps below map the menu names you’re likely to see. If your skin looks different, search your Settings app for “Sound,” “Volume,” or “Equalizer.”
| Brand | Path To Volume Controls | Extras Worth Trying |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone | Settings > Sound & Haptics; Control Center for slider | Headphone Safety; Sound Check in Music |
| Samsung | Settings > Sounds and vibration > Volume | Dolby Atmos; Equalizer; Adapt Sound hearing test |
| Google Pixel | Settings > Sound & vibration > Volume | Adaptive Sound; per-app audio toggles in media tray |
| OnePlus | Settings > Sound & vibration > Volume | Audio tuner/EQ inside Earbuds app when paired |
| Xiaomi | Settings > Sound & vibration > Volume | Sound effects/EQ in Additional settings |
| Motorola | Settings > Sound & vibration > Volume | Audio effects app on select models |
| Nothing | Settings > Sound & vibration > Volume | Glyph sound feedback and per-app controls |
Raise Ringtone, Alerts, And Alarms The Right Way
Ringtone And Alerts
Set your daily baseline in the main sound settings so new messages and calls come through when the room is noisy. Pick a tone with a strong mid-range; those cuts carry through traffic and chatter better than bass-heavy sounds.
Alarms
Open your Clock app, tap an alarm, and crank its volume. Test by setting a one-minute alarm while you watch the screen. If your phone links alarm loudness to the Media slider, raise Media before you set bedtime.
Headphones, Earbuds, And External Speakers
Wireless earbuds keep their own volume. With music playing, press Volume Up on the phone, then use the earbuds’ buttons or gestures to lift their gain. If the sound jumps wildly when changing songs, turn on a normalization or “Sound Check” feature where offered. For wired headsets, check the inline remote and clean the plug; poor contact can cut one channel and halve loudness.
Troubleshooting When Volume Still Feels Low
Route And Source Checks
- Turn off Bluetooth to stop auto-routing to a nearby speaker or car.
- Force-quit the app and relaunch playback or the call.
- Reboot the phone to clear a stuck audio session.
Reset Sound Settings (As A Last Step)
If a custom EQ or a mode keeps pulling levels down, switch the EQ off and test again. Many skins offer a “Reset sound” or “Reset all settings” option that leaves data intact while restoring defaults. Use that only after you try the quicker steps above.
Hardware Clues
If callers sound far away even with the slider near the top, try speakerphone; if that’s clear, the earpiece may be blocked or faulty. If both paths are quiet, a repair check might be needed.
Safety And Hearing Tips
Loud music can be fun yet tough on ears. Most phones include a maximum volume limit or a headphone protection feature. Set a sensible cap for daily listening, and keep real peaks for short bursts. Pick snug tips on earbuds so you don’t need to push the slider into the red. Take breaks when streaming for long stretches.
Your Fast Recap
For how to turn up volume on phone, start the sound you want, press Volume Up, and open the sound menu to lift the matching slider. Then tune ring and alarm in Settings, set per-app levels, and try built-in enhancers like Dolby Atmos or equalizers. If modes mute alerts, turn them off or add exceptions. When in doubt, revisit the brand paths in the tables above.
Exact Keyword In Practice
You’ve now seen how to turn up volume on phone across iPhone and Android, including quick toggles, Control Center, brand EQs, and per-app sliders. Save this page, and you’ll never dig through menus again when a call or song comes in too quiet.
Learn the official steps here: Adjust the volume on iPhone and Google’s guide: Change volume, sound & vibrate settings.